The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority has announced that the 21st Annual Alva C. McFarlane Engineering Scholarships will be offered this year to high school seniors, and college freshmen and sophomores. The authority will award two $60,000 scholarships towards a bachelor’s of science degree in engineering and two $20,000 scholarships towards an associate of science degree in technology. Through these scholarships, the WAPA is helping to prepare young Virgin Islanders for technical careers with the utility.
The scholarships will pay for tuition, room and board, fees, books and supplies. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and be accepted by an accredited institution. The scholarship awards will be based on academic achievement, college entrance test scores, financial need, community involvement and the needs of the authority. Once studies are completed, awardees must return to full time paid employment at WAPA for the number of years it took to complete their degree.
The authority established the scholarship in 1991, in honor of the late Alva C. McFarlane, who as a member of the Authority’s Governing Board was instrumental in its establishment. In the last 20 years, WAPA has awarded close to $2.75 million in financial assistance to students earning degrees in technical fields that are critical to WAPA’s operations. After completing their education, these students have returned to the authority not only to fulfill their obligations but to contribute their knowledge and energy to tackling some of the utility’s greatest challenges. Past Alva C. McFarlane graduates now work at WAPA and others, armed with exceptional skills acquired during their tenure at the utility, work in the public and private sector in the Virgin Islands and around the world.
The application deadline is Monday, April 16. Completed application packages are due in the Human Resources offices on St. Thomas and St. Croix by 4 p.m.
For more information about the Alva C. McFarlane scholarship and to obtain an application and review of eligibility requirements, visit www.viwapa.vi or see a high school counselor. Applicants can also contact WAPA’s Human Resources Offices at 774-3552 on St. Thomas or 773-2250 on St. Croix.